Surf veterans rescue plaque

Post Newspaper, 19 October 2019, Page 40 Surf veterans rescue plaque By BEN DICKINSON

A plaque commemorating the first WA lifesaver to win a national title has been saved from vandals. Swanbourne Nedlands Life Saving Club’s veterans groups arranged to install the plaque, honouring the late Bernie Kelly, on a plinth outside club headquarters. The plaque was dislodged from its original location in a limestone block in Marine Parade, according to club veteran Garry Fletcher. “Fortunately it was handed in to the club before it disappeared,” Mr Fletcher said. Bernie Kelly, who died in 2015, won the Open Surf Belt Race in Queensland in 1947, the first national event won by a WA lifesaver. The event was the holy grail for surf swimmers, requiring them to tow up to 150m of heavy line to simulate a rescue. Swanbourne Nedlands club veteran John Oldfield, who was a junior member when Bernie Kelly won his title, said the club had raised funds with gambling nights to raise the funds for Bernie’s train ticket east. “When he got to Queensland nobody would tell him which way the tide swept,” Mr Oldfield said. “But he went on with his smooth, strong style of swimming and won the event.” Mr Oldfield said the veterans group wanted more former lifesavers to come back to the club’s fold. “There’s a bond with the club and the history of it,” he said. Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club veterans John Oldfield, left, and Garry Fletcher with lifesaver Tim Tucak, back, rescued a plaque honouring late club great Bernie Kelly from vandals. Photo: Billie Fairclough 20191019 Post Surf veterans rescue plaque Be Active WA Coastal Walk Plaque History of the plaque Be Active WA Coastal Walk Plaque